A former parliamentary speaker and an ex-capital city mayor are among 75 officials who have announced their resignation from the ruling party in Burkina Faso, ratcheting up political tension before elections scheduled for next year.

A Mauritanian website says a terrorist group active in West Africa has threatened to target the interests of "France and her allies" in retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali last year.

A terror group active in West Africa has threatened to target the interests of "France and her allies" in retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali last year, according to a Mauritanian website frequently used by local jihadists to communicate with the outside world.

A terror group active in West Africa has threatened to target the interests of "France and her allies" in retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali last year, according to a Mauritanian website frequently used by local jihadists to communicate with the outside world.